Coincidentally the Markit/CIPS UK Construction PMI September data highlights an upturn in business activity across construction for the first time since May 2016. The Construction Product Association’s latest State of Trade Survey also shows continued growth in sales of construction products for Q3 2016. The RIBA Future Trends survey, entered positive territory in August, with a balance figure of +8, yet this remains significantly lower than in the first half of the year.

The building services engineering sector is positive about the implications of BREXIT according to a report published by the ECA. Overall, almost half of survey respondents (46 per cent) said they believe Brexit will have a positive impact on their company in just five years’ time, with less than one in five (19 per cent) saying it will have a negative effect.

Natasha Levanti of Ace looks at the challenges facing industry skills. Warning construction or infrastructure related businesses that they will need to keep alert of discussions and changes to labour conditions going forward, not just due to the construction industry’s reliance on European workers but also due to legislative gaps that may accompany withdrawal.

This concern is echoed in a letter from leaders of four professional bodies to Brexit minister David Davis. They warn that the UK’s construction skills crisis could severely worsen if the government does not take steps to ensure access to a skilled workforce during its EU departure negotiations.

Yet Warren Lewis says it is not just industry skills we need to be concerned about. He warns Brexit could have an impact on the quality of new homes. He states the biggest issue facing tomorrow’s homebuyer, isn’t where the labour or materials to construct a property comes from, but the impact on the quality of the home as a result.

If you want some other opinions there are plenty of events including those from ACE and BSRIA.

Competitive Advantage in conjunction with the Chartered Institute of Marketing Construction Industry Group (CIMCIG) has set up a survey to measure the impact of Brexit on Sales & Marketing in the construction sector. Initial responses suggest a split view about the impact of Brexit.

Please give us your feedback and register for a free report of the findings.